The Irish standard., 1887-06-18
THE PRIESTS LEAP.
].
THE MYSTERIOUS GROTTO.

THE MYSTERIOUS GROTTO.
Away on the west coast of ireland, al
one of the many points in it's rugged
outline, where clusters of gloomy is
lands rise above the oily swell Of the
ocean, and the dark waters lash far be.
low the majestic cliffs Of Baltimore, is
the headland of Rathelaragh, beauti.
full yet lonely spot inspiring the sight
seer with sentiments Of admiring awe,
and at the came time with feeling OF
dread, not only on account of its de-
serted appearance and it's frightful pre-
cipices resonant with the cries Of the
sea-gull, but also on account Of the wild
traditions of the place, and the strange
tales of smuggling life with which it is
associated.
It was here, on certain Christmas
eve, many, many years ago. while a
male sovereign still ruled the kingdom,
young Englishman, engaged in that
kind of employment whose officers go
by the familiar term Of ''gaugers, I"
found himself stationed ''on special
duty''-a spy on the actions of dealers in
illicit distillat1on, whom the govern
ment had cause to suspect of conniving
with the natives to defraud the reve-
nue.. A few weeks residence in this
lonely spot had made him disgusted
with his occupation, and he resolved,
when next he saw home and mother
(both then the dearest things to him on
earth } never to return to country so
full of oppression, poverty, suspicion
and discomfort. The day above men
toned he had prepared himself for a
long walk-about eighteen miles-and
this being oyer wild and almost inn
passable wav, was no easy matter for a
stranger. But he was young and ro-
bust, and had made up his mind to ac-
complish it on foot, so about seven in
the morning he set out, walking brisk
ly till about two o'clock in the after
noon.
Having visited several places men
toned as retreats for illegal traffic, he
had recourse to his provision wallet to
satisfy the cravings of hungry man.
Then he set out anew; but unfortun-
ately the day, which had been unusally
bright, was now yelled by a dense, cold
mist, almost thick enough to be felt,
and on proceeding hameward, darkness
such as one can only encounter in bog
gy regions, set in. However. he walked
on, not at all daunted at ''will.o-the-
wisp'' starting up before him now and
then, and it must have been ten o'clock
when he sank down exhausted against
rock, which he scarcely at first per-
ceived looming up between him and
the sky. He had now given up all
thoughts of getting home that night,
since it was only out Of one turf-bog to
stumble the next moment into another;
and, as forgetting a guide or directions.
such things were simply out Of the
question; for even if he had thought of
calling at one of the few scattered
houses, he knew the poor natives hated
lit may be said JUSTLY all of his class,
and would be only too glad to put few
extra miles on him, if nothing more.
So here he made up his mind to stay
and await the first ray of the rising
moon, which, on emerging, would be
likely to throw a light on his doubtful
way. Not expecting it for some hours
vet and wrapped in his travelling cloak,
he threw himself down to take nap,
his thoughts it must he owned, not
being the pleasantnest. How long he
remained there, it would be difficult to
s tell. but on opening his eyes. q faint
u. CRIMSON light, not bigger than 9 stal